Data Visualization Best Practices (Coursera)

Data Visualization Best Practices (Coursera)

In this course, we will cover the basics of visualization and how it fits into the Data Science workflow. We will focus on the main concepts behind the purpose of visualization and the design principles for creating effective, easy-to-communicate results. You will also set up your Tableau environment, practice data loading, and perform univariate descriptive analysis of the S&P 500 stock sectors.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Course 1 of 3 in the Use Tableau for Your Data Science Workflow Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Visualization Fundamentals
Visualization is a crucial skill for data analysts across all disciplines. Viewing data graphically often provides greater intuition than by using statistics or mathematics alone. In this module, we’ll explore the fundamentals of visualization and discuss how visualizations can achieve better insight into data as well as effectively communicate results and conclusions.

WEEK 2
Design Principles for Effective Visualizations
To create effective visuals, analysts must understand and be able to explain why specific graphical elements must be included, eliminated, or modified. In this module, we’ll investigate why certain questions are best answered by specific visual cue patterns, discuss which psychological perception theories should be considered during the construction of data visualizations, and cover the universal framework for representing visual data, the grammar of graphics.

WEEK 3
Univariate Visualization Methods
Univariate visualization methods apply the grammar of graphics to the representation of a dataset’s fundamental properties and structures in terms of single variable mappings to visual encodings. In this module, we’ll explore specifics for how to view the data and what to visualize and discuss what mapping of data is best suited for highlighting and extracting insights from the data.

WEEK 4
Standard Univariate Visualizations
Instead of reinventing the wheel with every visualization, analysts use several common chart types so there is no ambiguity about the decoding and interpretation of the data. In this module, we'll explore some standard tools and techniques that are used to prepare a fully crafted set of visualizations for the purpose of storytelling. Before completing this module, you will use Tableau to conduct a univariate analysis to sample data, compare dimensions vs. measures, and practice linking visualizations.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Essential Epidemiologic Tools for Public Health Practice (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Essential Epidemiologic Tools for Public Health Practice (Coursera)

In order to make a difference in the health and well-being of a population, we must understand the burden of all problems and conditions that affect the population, as well as how well our efforts to mitigate these problems are actually working. This course provides you with some essential skills and tools that will enhance your ability to describe and understand the health of your community

Aug 31st 2026
4 Weeks
Advanced Data Analysis and Collaboration in Qlik Sense (Coursera) Coursera
Coursera Instructor Network

Advanced Data Analysis and Collaboration in Qlik Sense (Coursera)

This course is an advanced level course designed for learners who want to use Qlik Sense to perform sophisticated data analytics, build dashboards, and communicate full reports and stories from their data. These advanced concepts include more than just visualization features such as dynamic filtering and conditional formatting, but more so data functionality such as advanced expressions, drill-downs, leads, lags, and more. This is important as these skills are directly required when creating sophisticated business analyses and dashboards.

Sep 14th 2026
1 Week
Accounting Data Analytics with Python (Coursera) Coursera
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Accounting Data Analytics with Python (Coursera)

This course focuses on developing Python skills for assembling business data. It will cover some of the same material from Introduction to Accounting Data Analytics and Visualization, but in a more general purpose programming environment (Jupyter Notebook for Python), rather than in Excel and the Visual Basic Editor. These concepts are taught within the context of one or more accounting data domains (e.g., financial statement data from EDGAR, stock data, loan data, point-of-sale data).

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Principios esenciales de diseño en Tableau (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad Austral

Principios esenciales de diseño en Tableau (Coursera)

En este curso, analizarás y aplicarás principios de diseño esenciales para tus visualizaciones en Tableau. Este curso asume que comprendes las herramientas dentro de Tableau y tienes algún conocimiento de los conceptos fundamentales de visualización de datos. Definirás y examinarás las similitudes y diferencias del análisis exploratorio y estudio, así como comenzarás a hacerte las preguntas correctas sobre lo que se necesita en una visualización.

Sep 14th 2026
4 Weeks
Big Data Analytical Platform on Alibaba Cloud (Coursera) Coursera
Alibaba Cloud Academy

Big Data Analytical Platform on Alibaba Cloud (Coursera)

Building an Analytical Platform on Alibaba Cloud can empower how you take in, analyze, and demonstrate clear metrics from a set of Big Data. This course is designed to teach engineers how to use Alibaba Cloud Big Data products. It covers basic distributed system theory and Alibaba Cloud's core products like MaxCompute, DataWorks, E-MapReduce as well as a bundle of ecosystem tools.

Aug 31st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Interprofessional Healthcare Informatics (Coursera) Coursera
University of Minnesota

Interprofessional Healthcare Informatics (Coursera)

Interprofessional Healthcare Informatics is a graduate-level, hands-on interactive exploration of real informatics tools and techniques offered by the University of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota's National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education. We will be incorporating technology-enabled educational innovations to bring the subject matter to life. Over the 10 modules, we will create a vital online learning community and a working healthcare informatics network.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Data Storytelling with Power BI (Coursera) Coursera
Edureka

Data Storytelling with Power BI (Coursera)

Welcome to the Data Storytelling with Power BI course, where you'll embark on a journey to acquire practical expertise in data transformation and visualization. Leverage the potential of Power BI to craft narratives through structured data, leading to the discovery of more profound insights. Throughout this course, you'll explore the industry-specific applications of Power BI and delve into its various features and functionalities.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Communicating Business Analytics Results (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Communicating Business Analytics Results (Coursera)

The analytical process does not end with models than can predict with accuracy or prescribe the best solution to business problems. Developing these models and gaining insights from data do not necessarily lead to successful implementations. This depends on the ability to communicate results to those who make decisions.

Aug 31st 2026
4 Weeks
Julia Scientific Programming (Coursera) Coursera
University of Cape Town

Julia Scientific Programming (Coursera)

This four-module course introduces users to Julia as a first language. Julia is a high-level, high-performance dynamic programming language developed specifically for scientific computing. This language will be particularly useful for applications in physics, chemistry, astronomy, engineering, data science, bioinformatics and many more.

Sep 14th 2026
4 Weeks
From Excel to Power BI (Coursera) Coursera
Knowledge Accelerators

From Excel to Power BI (Coursera)

Are you using Excel to manage, analyze, and visualize your data? Would you like to do more? Perhaps you've considered Power BI as an alternative, but have been intimidated by the idea of working in an advanced environment. The fact is, many of the same tools and mechanisms exist across both these Microsoft products. This means Excel users are actually uniquely positioned to transition to data modeling and visualization in Power BI! Using methods that will feel familiar, you can learn to use Power BI to make data-driven business decisions using large volumes of data.

Sep 7th 2026
1 Week